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The truth is Simchat Torah is not my favorite holiday.

There. I said it.

Hafrashat challah (separating the challah) is a practice popular in Orthodox circles, as it is one of three mitzvot (commandments) considered special for women. The practice also offers opportunities for women to gather to say special prayers, often for people in need.

My family recently observed my uncle’s yahrzeit, recalling how, just about a year earlier, we were all gathered at the hospice to offer our love, to find strength in and for one another, and to grieve.

Two were walking on the way; one had a canteen of water; if they share the water, they will both die [before reaching a source of water]; if one drinks all the water, he will survive. Ben Petura taught: Let them both die, so that neither will see the death of his comrade.

Many mysteries surround the origins of Christopher Columbus. One recurrent claim is the explorer had Jewish roots.

In the Biblical story of the Tower of Babel, the descendants of Noah come together to build a tower that would stretch so high it would reach God in the heavens.

A young man came to a rabbi for a chat.

“I’ve bought a new car” said the young man to the rabbi.

“Congratulations,” he replied.

Each year, the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago awards Jewish professionals the Samuel A. Goldsmith Award, named for the Federation's chief executive officer from 1930-1966.